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This week's Answer:
The
Hardest Page Good
question. My answer: the title page. I always have to look
up my script advisor phone number and type it on that
page. Actually,
I do understand your question and the real answer
is "the last page". Why? because it has
the last beat. The last moment. The one before "FADE
OUT". I have spent hours, even days, mulling over
what is the best last moment. If it's dialogue, which it
usually is, the question is "what last words do you
want to leave with your reader/viewer?" Will the
exchange be humorous? Meaningful? Meaningfully humorous?
Humorously meaningful? Clever? Profound? Profoundly clev--?
I'm sure you get the idea. And
do we see the characters speaking (usually the hero
and ally or love interest) or is it a voiceover because
we're too far away as they walk towards the horizon. (or
drive off or sail off or do something dealing with
transportation off). Do you want to write a "pull
back and up" moment when we see a full picture of the
city (urban drama)? The forest (thriller/suspense)? The
open mouth of a monster about to devour us all? (romantic
comedy). So,
the question is on that last page is "how do I wrap
it up in just the right way"? Here's
suggestion: Look at your first page. Notice what opening
image and tone you're working with. Now think about how
far the hero has come, how much he/she has transformed.
(And the ally and/or love interest). Recognize how the
tone has changed. Make sure your premise has been fully
realized and then write your last beat. Or,
if that doesn't work... Don't
finish your script and just start another one. Doug
Herman Script
Advisor
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